Friday night’s all women comedy sketch show, “Panties in a Twist” was absolutely, ridiculously, fantastically, BRILLIANT! The show consisted of many short, sweet and utterly jovial vignettes that kept the audience completely enthralled. I’m sure I noticed at least five people wetting their pants during the show because they were laughing so hard. I know that’s gross but peeing in your pants is a true testament to the hilarity that happened on stage.

The satirical show that brought everyone to tears included such celebrities as Paula Dean & Martha Stewart, however most of the characters on stage were original roles that had stemmed from the minds of some of the most talented comedic actresses in Hampton Roads. Many of these fine actresses were taught by our very own improv/sketch comedy troupe, “The Pushers” who had produced the show at The NorVa. If you’ve never seen a Pushers’ show, YOU ARE MISSING OUT! You will be risking busting a rib laughing so hard, but I highly recommend that you see one of their shows ASAP! In fact, the next opportunity to see The Pushers and laugh your head off is April 11th at our Virginia Beach Funnybone Comedy Club. RSVP your tickets here.

I got the opportunity to ask these ladies one question (in my robot voice) only minutes before they all went on stage. You can hear the question and their response in this short video:

A gal walks into a bar. Well, it wasn't really a bar. It might've seemed like a bar, because there were a lot of funny people there, and a lot of laughing, which might make them seem like they're drunk.

Anyway, this gal, Rachael Lang, walked into The Groundlings Theatre & School in Los Angeles last October. The Virginia Beach comedian had to drop by the training grounds for Will Ferrell and recently Oscar-nominated funny girl Melissa McCarthy.

Lang went in for a few laughs at their all-female improvisational show and left with an idea.

"We have so many talented girls in our area," Lang said. "Why can't we do that here?"

And so they are. This Friday, "Panties in a Twist," an all-women's sketch comedy night, will be held at The NorVa at 9 p.m. Women run the show - from hanging up the promotional fliers to the writing, directing, producing and lighting.

Several of the Panties-in-a-Twist girls will also perform tonight at Colley Cantina on Colley Avenue in Norfolk for a pre-show party and silent auction. Proceeds will go to Samaritan House and The Muse Writers Center.

Lang had brought back the idea and shared it with a male friend, who is a member of a local comedy group called The Pushers.

The Pushers kicked around the idea, and female members Tiffany Chilcott and Alba Woolard took over. The two said they believe it's the first time the area has seen a comedy show completely designed and run by local women. Chilcott said there's a lingering suspicion among some men that women can't be funny. But the increasing popularity of female comics on "Saturday Night Live," such as Tina Fey and Kristen Wiig, is helping to change that, she said.

Woolard likes showcasing what local women can do, and there's pressure to make sure this first show is a success so that people will want more.

"I feel like I don't see enough women in comedy in television," Woolard said. "I think it's important to say to that, not only can we do a show without men, but it can be just as good, if not better, than a show with men."

Organizers asked for women to send in routines. They received more than 40 sketches, and about 20 women auditioned. Only a few didn't make the cut. Women will also play any male roles.

About 25 sketches will make it into the show, with some improvisational material mixed in to get the audience involved.

Lang, 26, has four pieces that made the program, which she considers flattering. She also likes that women are handling all aspects of the show. She said she's read stilted scripts written by men for women, and they felt like "a guy trying to get into a girl's mind."

Women writing material for each other is more genuine. The camaraderie during rehearsals has been, too.

"When I work in theater and television, there's this competitiveness that's often overwhelming, and I think it's stifling," she said. "What we're trying to do is fix that. Instead of working against each other, let's work together. And it is empowering."

Recently, the women took over an empty second-floor office space in Virginia Beach to practice various scenes, including one of Lang's called "Hell's Kitchen."

Props were imaginary, but comedian Joy Julian, wide-eyed and smiling, became Southern cook Paula Deen with a peppy, "Hey, y'all!" She swung around to introduce the three "barefoot and pregnant" Iron Chef contestants. Celebrity guest judges sat in folding chairs opposite them, a perky "Rachael Ray," an excitable "Guy Fieri" and a glowering "Gordon Ramsay."

Lang played contestant Dorothy Jane, who waddled over to give each of the judges her Southern delicacy, "Redneck on Vacation" - Budweiser beers decorated with slices of lime.

Women not in the scene watched to give feedback and tried not to laugh too loud.

Lang tilted her head back, putting an invisible bottle to her lips.

"Since I have a baby on the way," she said, "I take baby sips."

The last contestant moseyed to the judges, her concoction sparking a riot of commentary.

"Deen" turned to the invisible audience, eyes even wider, opened her mouth and then... well, if you want the rest of the joke, you'll have to see the show.

The Panties In A Twist Pre-Show Party and Silent Auction featuring The Crushes!

Join the Panties In A Twist Girls, Thursday night at Colley Cantina for The Panties In A Twist Pre-Show Party and Silent Auction.

This is going to be a great night of comedy, music and fun... and it's all for a good cause. Some great Hampton Roads businesses have donated some amazing items and gift certificates all to help out The Muse Writers Center and The Samaritan House.

Plus laugh it up with some of the area's funniest female comedians and improvisers, and then end the night by rocking out with The Crushes.

100% of the money raised from the silent auction will go to The Muse Writers Center's Scholarship Fund and to The Samaritan House. The Muse and the The Samaritan House are both non-profit organizations in the Hampton Roads Area. Winners of items in the Silent Auction will be announced that night. Credit cards will be accepted.

The Samaritan House provides emergency shelter and support services to victims of domestic violence and to families who are homeless.

The Muse Writers Center in Norfolk is Hampton Roads’ own literary center, featuring more than 40 creative and creative writing classes in each of its three yearly sessions.

Panties In A Twist! Hampton Roads first ever All Women's Sketch Comedy Show

Hampton Roads' finest and funniest female writers, actresses and comedians have gathered for Panties In A Twist. A sketch comedy show written by women... starring women... and brought to you on Norfolk's biggest stage, The NorVa.

Tina Fey, Kristen Wiig, Chelsea Handler... these awesome women have dominated the comedy world. Now it's time for Hampton Roads' women to strut their stuff. For the past 3 months, The Panties In A Twist gals have been working hand in hand with The Pushers (Hampton Roads #1 comedy group) to create a hilarious comedy show that people will be talking about for years.

With all these funny women in one place, this is guaranteed to be a huge event!!!

There has never been a show like this in Hampton Roads, so make sure you're part of history and get your tickets now!